Lesson ObjectiveStudents use auditory, visual, and artistic skills to analyze poetryLength. Questions to ConsiderSee how Ms. Pannett addresses both denotation and connotationWhat is the value in students' drawing as they listen to the poem?How does t...he lesson address auditory and visual learning modalities?
Common Core StandardsELA.RL.6-8.1, ELA.RL.8.4
(5mins)[more]

This video provides background on Common Core and examples of how and why it came about as well as showing examples. The professional development video is designed as an overview of the ELA standards of the Common Core using a video from The Teachin...g Channel. The presented task is to conduct a "close reading" of the video just with a piece of reading. Attention to the way information is presented, the producer's stance, strategies for explanation, and the selection of interviews, are some of the objectives of this video. Stressed are an integration of content in all disciplines and the use of more non-fiction works. Many interviews are shown to help provide examples. (14:13)[more]

Lesson Objective: Student will understand and use similes to express ideas in writing. Questions to Consider: How does the book on Duke Ellington and his music contribute to students’ ability to write their own similes?Note how Ms. Letford uses her v...oice to keep students engaged.Could students with less musical background still benefit from this lesson?Support Materials BelowLesson PlanCommon Core StandardsELA.RL.5.4, ELA.L.4.5a
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Lesson Objective:Learn how to use rhythm to improve reading comprehension and confidence. Questions to Consider:See how students attitudes change from week one to week twoHear the 7 reading rules ("All words are created equal" and so on)Notice the ch...ange in students’ confidence and ability by week sixSupport Materials BelowLink to Reading & Rhythm programCommon Core StandardsELA.RF.5.4
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Lesson Objective: Identify and write the main idea of a story in one sentence. Questions to Consider:
Ms. Bannon uses a personal story to hook students into the lessonHow does Ms. Bannon continue to develop the concept of "main idea" with her readi...ng group?Note how Ms. Bannon is patient with students who are not quite getting it and makes notes on her clipboardSupport Materials BelowLesson Plan Recommended Books
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The Common Core State Standards expand the use of literary non-fiction in later grades. Literary non-fiction include essays, founding documents, and speeches. English teachers are experts to help students understand this type of texts. This short vi...deo is great for professional development and offers a springboard for teachers and administrators to start discussing how best to implement Common Core in their schools. (1:33)[more]

This Common Core State Standards video gives an in-depth analysis and discussion of Dr. King's Letter from a Birmingham Jail. The commentator provides an outline of how this literary text might be taught in the classroom. Students must read with care... and pay attention to details to find the 3 arguments presented in the letter. This is a great modeling lesson for teachers (10:20).[more]

The new Common Core standards now require elementary students to read more texts. Reading is equally balanced between literature and informational texts. The move from 7% to 50% reading time comes from the demand of what is expected in college and ca...reer. This is a great video for professional development. It provides a springboard for teachers and administrators to discuss how they will implement the Common Core standards in their schools. (2:14)[more]

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